Kingdom Citizens

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Ordinary Time

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

In the Old Testament God promised to Abraham a kingdom and a people.  Last week Jesus began to fulfill that promise of a kingdom by beginning the calling of his 12 Apostles.  These 12 would eventually form the Church – the new kingdom of God that will last into eternity.  This week, Jesus describes the attributes of those who belong to this kingdom, what kingdom citizens look like: they look like the 8 beatitudes.  How can I become more a kingdom citizen this week?  And how can I help others to become more of a kingdom citizen this week?

Light out of Darkness

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Ordinary Time

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

God loves bringing light into the darkness, and especially light out of the darkness.  Zebulun and Naphtali were the northern regions of Israel that were taken over by the Assyrians, and the people of God there lived under oppression for hundreds of years.  It is precisely to this region that Jesus goes in our Gospel, announcing the kingdom of heaven and coming as light into the darkness.  What is an area of your life that is a place of gloom, worry, anxiety, hopelessness, darkness?  God has always been bringing light out of darkness, and maybe that’s exactly what He wants to do for you!

Following Stars

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Christmas Season

Epiphany

Today the three wise men follow a star to the Savior of the world.  Many people saw the star.  The devout religious in Jerusalem knew the Christ was to be born in Bethlehem.  Yet, it is only the three wise men who actually follow God’s sign.  Matthew Kelly says that “Wisdom is truth lived.”  And of all the people in our Gospel story, it is only the three magi that can be called wise.  What are the signs God is placing in your life?  When you see a star, do you follow it?  “Wisdom is truth lived.”

“Me & Jesus” vs. “Us & Jesus”

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Christmas Season

Solemnity of Mary Mother of God

Most Christian denominations hold onto what I will call a “Me & Jesus” view of heaven – that in heaven we are totally caught up in God and we are no longer involved with others on earth.  As Catholics, however, we believe that we are still united with all those men and women of faith who have gone before us and are in heaven with God – it’s always “Us & Jesus”.  So we can ask them to pray for us to God (just as we ask friends on earth to pray for us).  On this celebration of the motherhood of Mary, let us ask for the prayers of our Mother in a special way!

Invested: Full, Conscious, Active

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Advent

4th Sunday of Advent

In our 3rd and final installment of this homily series “Invested” (I know it was supposed to be 4, but I wasn’t able to preach last weekend – I apologize), I encourage you to consider this question: do you come to Mass as a spectator or as a player?  The Second Vatican Council encourages us to “full, conscious and active participation” in the Mass.  The interaction in Mass that we have as Catholics is a great gift meant to keep us fully engaged as we worship God together.  So what do you consider your role to be in Mass – spectator or player?

No Homily : (

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Uncategorized

I am sorry to say that uncontrollable nosebleeds yesterday put me on house arrest (by doctor’s orders) before I could celebrate Mass, and house arrest continues until Monday when I can talk to my regular ENT.  As a result, I do not have a homily to publish for this weekend.  The theme of Advent is “waiting”, so it looks like we’re all waiting together ; )

Invested: The Return

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Advent

2nd Sunday of Advent

Investing means we’re putting something down in hopes that the return will be worth the investment.  So what’s the return of investing your time, attention and energy in Mass?  That God wants to speak a word to you that will empower you to engage all of next week with strength, confidence and faith (instead of being tired out and worn down come Tuesday evening).  The Mass is heaven come down to earth and God has something special to say just to you.  The more you invest, the louder His voice will sound.

Invested: Where Are You At?

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Advent

1st Week of Advent

This is the first of a 4-part Advent homily series on the Mass.  The title of this series is “Invested”.  Nothing in our lives can grow unless we are invested in it.  Investing in what is important to us takes many different forms: time, energy, effort, attention, money, care, thoughtfulness (to name a few).  The more we invest, the more we see results.  Our participation in and experience of the Mass is no different: the more we invest, the more we see results.  As we begin this Advent journey, I invite you to take an honest look at how invested you are in the Mass on a typical weekend.  Mark it down as a starting point, so that come Christmas you will be able to look back and count some ways you’ve grown in your investment in the Mass.